Derrick Burgess can't swim and has no interest in laying out in the sun or learning how to surf. That won't keep the NFL's sacks leader from enjoying his first trip to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl.

For Burgess, being named to the AFC team is a big deal considering everything he's overcome to have such a breakout season in his first year with the Raiders.

The 6-foot-2, 265-pound Burgess has dealt with his share of bad luck during his five-year career. He missed the 2002 and '03 seasons with injuries, then was sidelined late last season with Philadelphia before bouncing back in time to help the Eagles reach the Super Bowl.

Now, Burgess leads the league with 14 sacks after getting only 8 1/2 in 15 starts over his previous four seasons. He just wishes the Raiders were playing better, but Oakland has lost four straight and six of seven heading into Saturday's game at Denver.

"I proved to myself - not to people," Burgess said. "I really don't care what people think. ... It means a lot. I came a long way. And it's a blessing, really."

The 27-year-old Burgess plans to surprise a few of his Oakland teammates with a trip to Honolulu to join him in February as thanks for their hard work to help him look good. Starters for the game will be announced Jan. 7.

"It's great, wonderful," fellow defensive end Bobby Hamilton said. "At least that's a positive thing. He's a big free agent who had been behind so many guys, and he wanted to show what he's about. This should motivate a lot of guys."

In 2002, Burgess injured his foot in the season opener and sat out the rest of the year. The following season ended before it began for Burgess after he tore his Achilles' tendon in the preseason.

He hurt his elbow and ribs last year and separated his sternum late in the season but returned for the playoffs, and his three-sack performance in the postseason certainly told the rest of the league Burgess was back at full strength.

Despite Burgess' history of injury trouble, the Raiders believed he could stay healthy. They signed him to a five-year contract for $17.5 million back in March.

"He certainly has earned it, deserves it," coach Norv Turner said. "He's gotten the attention of our players. He got the attention of our players the day he got here and we started practicing in minicamps. He got the attention of people in this league real fast."

Burgess refused to think much about the Pro Bowl leading up to the selection, though he heard from several friends who said they were casting their ballots for him.

This is cache, read story here